Mebane Early Literacy Center to Screen New PBS Kids Show at Studio, Advised by Distinguished Faculty

A screening of the forthcoming PBS Kids show “Phoebe and Jay” will be co-hosted by the UNC Charlotte Mebane Early Literacy Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday Feb. 14. The screening will take place in the PBS studio room of Charlotte’s PBS station, WTVI. The event will begin with an introduction by Kelly Cartwright, Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child Literacy and lead curriculum advisor for “Phoebe and Jay” before a screening of the premiere episode, which airs on PBS Kids February 2. After the episode, children and their families can explore several activity stations that help support the same literacy skills as Phoebe and Jay and will receive goodie bags from PBS and MELC to take home.

“To work on a PBS KIDS series is a dream come true,” said Cartwright, “It’s full circle, really — I learned how to connect letters and sounds from my friends on PBS when I was a kid, so getting to help other children do that is amazing.” She has seen “Phoebe and Jay” come to life over the last several years while serving as the program’s lead curriculum advisor. As each short progressed from early script outlines to sketched animatics to fully animated shorts, she reviewed at every stage and provided feedback to animators and writers about how to depict evidence-based literacy practice that would also be easy for family audiences to navigate.

The story will follow fraternal twins Phoebe and Jay Yarber as they navigate their lives in their home, the Tobsy Towers, inspired by grand old hotels that have been converted into affordable housing, a unique setting for a children’s show. The twins will be raised by their ever-optimistic dad Pete, and their no-nonsense Grandma Annie following the loss of their mom. “Growing up in a low-income environment, we didn’t see too many Black kids who spoke or looked like us on television, and we’re excited to feature an awesome cast of characters dealing with similar environmental influences. I was also inspired by my own Grandma Annie, who helped raise me and my brother,” said co-creator Genie Deez.

The series is produced for children ages 3–5 and teaches them early literacy skills. These skills are taught using examples of text children find in day-to-day life, from directional signs to movie tickets, showing how literacy can help them navigate the world around them. The twins will often have to use literacy to solve problems, such as reading a flyer to help a neighbor find a lost pet or reading clothing tags to find the right size shirt. “Every episode centers on a functional text — that’s not a term everyone’s familiar with, but it’s print in the real world that grown ups and kids use on a daily basis. The show helps young literacy learners understand what a text is, what it’s used for, how to read it, and often how to create it on their own to accomplish goals, because we’re using text for real-world purposes all the time,” said Cartwright.

Families can register for the screening at PBS Charlotte’s station ahead of the event. Space is limited; PBS expects to have room for approximately 45 families.

by Jenna Beam